Transcript: Update on Chocolate

This year a report on a major international scientific conference on chocolate, finally revealed why we human beings crave chocolate so much. Their scientific, technical finding? “We conclude that we like chocolate because it tastes so nice.” Medically, last year a randomized controlled crossover study from Yale examining, “Acute dark chocolate ingestion.” And people got paid for that too. They found that the sugar in chocolate isn’t any good for you, the fat in chocolate—the cocoa butter—isn’t any good for you, but the actual cacow bean solids, which is sold as cocoa powder, is wonderful stuff, leading the journal of the American Heart Association this year to conclude that the cocoa itself can be recommended without hesitation. Ah, but which is healthier, cocoa or the Dutch processed cocoa? Some of you may need to go back to the basics. We have cocoa, and we have processed cocoa. And when you process food you lose nutrients.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by veganmontreal.

Doctor's Note

Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. And check out the sequel, Is Carob Good For You?. Also, there are 1,449 other subjects covered in the rest of my videos--please feel free to explore them as well!

Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. And check out the sequel, Is Carob Good For You?. Also, there are 1,449 other subjects covered in the rest of my videos–please feel free to explore them as well!

martygobi

Do you use raw cocoa or the dutch? Is your cocoa heated or processed? I am very confused as to what form of chocolate is praised in this and other videos. Is it the ground up powder from raw chocolate beans, still completely raw, that you add to your vegan ice-cream? Thank you.

http://www.facebook.com/caroldailey Carol Dailey

I have a teaspoon of cocoa powder in my coffee every morning. Satisfies my chocolate craving and tastes fabulous :> I remember hearing about a Canadian study on cocoa consumption and reduction in skin cancer-I think it’s ongoing.

Darcie

There was a study done in 2008 stating woman who ate more chocolate had lower bone density. Do you have anymore information on this potential problem with chocolate

David

When adding cocoa to hot water, I notice it gets in my teeth. What problems might that cause, until you get to brush? Thank you.

Erin Tucci

Hi Dr. Greger, every morning I wake up with the craving to eat about 1-2 ounces of plain pecans topped with bits of dates I cut up with a few pieces of crushed cocoa beans that I stick in the dates on top of the pecans. I really like to eat this in the morning for antioxidents and the boost of energy but since I end up eating about 2 tablespoons of it every morning I clock in about 9.3 grams of saturated fat. Do the cholesterol combating components of cocoa neutralize the effects of its fats or does it pose health problems and possible weight gain? Thank you for all of your work! You are the best! Erin T :)